Building front comprising elements with reduced weight

ABSTRACT

A building frontage including first frontage elements fixed to the building each including a cellular core and second frontage elements. The first and second frontage elements are arranged in substantially the same plane. The second frontage elements are fixed only to the first frontage elements.

The invention concerns the frontages of buildings, systems forconstructing them and methods of constructing them.

“Lightweight” building frontages including lightweight frontage elementscomprising a synthetic material cellular web are known per se. Thefrontage includes fixing members such as long horizontal rails joined tothe building. Each frontage element is fixed to a plurality of railssupporting a plurality of frontage elements.

The drawback of this type of frontage is that the fixing members aredifficult to transport, manipulate and install because they are largeand heavy.

One aim of the invention is to provide a frontage that is easier toconstruct.

To achieve the above aim, in accordance with the invention a buildingfrontage includes first frontage elements fixed to the building and eachcomprising a cellular core and second frontage elements, the first andsecond frontage elements are arranged in substantially the same planeand the second frontage elements are fixed only to the first frontageelements.

Accordingly, the fixing members are connected only to the first frontageelements. The shape and/or dimensions of the fixing members cantherefore be modified to make them easier to manipulate. For example,their dimensions can be reduced until they are similar to or less thanthe dimensions of the first frontage elements.

Each second frontage element is advantageously fixed to four firstfrontage elements.

Accordingly, particularly reliable fixing of the second frontageelements to the first frontage elements is obtained.

The first frontage elements are advantageously disposed in parallel rowsand the second frontage elements are disposed in rows parallel to therows of first frontage elements.

The first frontage elements are advantageously fixed to floors of thebuilding.

Each first frontage element is advantageously fixed to at least twofloors at different levels.

Accordingly, particularly reliable fixing of the first frontage elementsto the building is obtained.

Each first frontage element advantageously has a dimension in adirection perpendicular to the floors equal to n times a distancebetween like faces of two floors adjacent each other in that direction,n being an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Accordingly, first frontage elements and fixing members for fixing themto the building can be made which are identical to each other, whichreduces their unit cost.

The frontage advantageously includes first members for fixing the firstfrontage elements to the building, the first fixing members havingdimensions less than a greatest dimension of the first frontageelements.

Accordingly, handling of the first fixing members is facilitated.

Each first frontage element advantageously includes at least one rigidpart fixed to the cellular core and the first fixing members areadvantageously fixed to the rigid parts.

Accordingly, the mechanical strength of the first frontage elements isincreased in the area where they are fixed to the building.

The frontage advantageously includes second members for fixing thesecond frontage elements to the first frontage elements and the secondfixing members are advantageously fixed to the rigid parts.

Accordingly, the mechanical strength of the first frontage elements isincreased in the area where the second frontage elements are fixed.

Each first fixing member advantageously includes means for adjusting anangular position of the first fixing member relative to a face of thebuilding in at least one direction.

Accordingly, the fixing member can easily be fixed in a position nearthe required position.

The adjuster means are advantageously adapted to enable adjustment ofthe angular position of the first fixing member relative to the face ofthe building in two mutually perpendicular directions.

Accordingly, the first fixing member can be fixed more accurately.

The adjuster means advantageously include at least one screw-threadedhousing in the first fixing member and at least one screw engagedtherein, the first fixing member advantageously has two contact portionsdisposed to form a triangle with the screw and the contact portions andthe screw are advantageously adapted to come into contact with the faceof the building.

The contact portions advantageously comprise two screws engaged insecond and third screw-threaded housings of the first fixing member.

The first fixing member advantageously further includes attachment partsfor rigidly fixing the first fixing member to the building.

Accordingly, the function of adjusting the position and the function offixing to the building are associated with separate parts, so that theparts can be better adapted to their respective functions.

The frontage advantageously further includes components fixed to atleast some of the first and second frontage elements and lying in theplane of the first and second frontage elements.

Accordingly, there is no need to fix the components directly to thebuilding, which can be laborious.

The invention also provides a system for constructing a buildingfrontage including first elements comprising a cellular core and adaptedto be fixed to a building and second elements, characterized in that itincludes means for fixing the second elements to the first elements withthe first and second elements in the same plane.

This system is used to construct the frontage in accordance with theinvention.

The invention further provides a method of constructing a buildingfrontage using first elements including a cellular core and secondelements, in which method the first elements are fixed to the buildingand the first and second elements are disposed in the same plane and thesecond elements are fixed to the first elements.

This method is used to construct the frontage in accordance with theinvention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearlyfrom the following description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention given by way of non-limiting example. In the accompanyingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of the frontage in accordance with theinvention, as seen from outside the building,

FIG. 2 is a view of the frontage in cross-section at the level of afirst fixing member,

FIG. 3 is a top view of the first fixing member from FIG. 2 and a firstfrontage element in horizontal section,

FIG. 4 is a front view of a second fixing member connected to first andsecond frontage elements, and

FIG. 5 is a top view of the second fixing member from FIG. 4 and firstand second frontage elements in horizontal section.

This embodiment of the frontage in accordance with the invention isfixed to a building comprising a plurality of horizontal floors 2constructed principally of concrete and extending at different levels,one above the other. Each floor 2 has a vertical rectilinear edge 4 andthese edges are parallel to each other in a common vertical plane. Thefrontage lies against the edges 4. Each floor 2 has plane horizontal topand bottom faces 5 and 6.

The frontage comprises first frontage elements (window piers) 8 andsecond frontage elements (filler elements) 10. Each element is generallyrectangular parallelepiped-shaped with a large front face 12 and a largerear face 14 that are generally plane and parallel to each other.

Each of the first and second frontage elements 8, 10 has a cellular, forexample polyurethane foam, core 16. The core 16 has a front face 15 anda rear face 17 that are parallel to each other and covered withrespective metal films 0.05 mm thick. The core 16 has two verticalparallel plane rectilinear lateral faces 20. Each lateral face 20 isassociated with a rigid galvanized metal reinforcement section 22 whichis 2.5 mm thick and covers the lateral face and part of the front andrear faces 15 and 17 of the core. The reinforcement 22 is fixed to therear face 17 of the core 16 facing towards the floors 2 with the metalfilm between them, in surface-to-surface contact with the film. Itextends the full height of the core.

The filler elements 10 further include two horizontal rigidreinforcement sections 24 associated in the same manner with top andbottom horizontal plane rectilinear faces of the core 16.

The first and second frontage elements 8, 10 each include a plasticsmaterials, for example PVC, facing panel 25 which faces and is parallelto the front face 15 of the core 16 and conceals it from view fromoutside the building. The facing panel 25 is on the outside of thefrontage element so that it can be seen from outside the building. Ithas a plane face 12 constituting the front face of the frontage element.

The frontage further includes components such as windows 26 or doorswhich are generally plane and rectangular when seen in elevation.

The first and second frontage elements 8, 10 and the components 26 aredisposed side by side in a common plane adjacent the edges 4 of thefloors 2.

The first frontage elements 8 are fixed only to the floors 2 by firstfixing members or brackets 30. The first frontage element 8 are disposedin a plurality of spaced parallel vertical rows. The first frontageelements 8 in each row are adjacent each other and have their verticallateral faces aligned. Each first frontage element 8 has a longitudinaldimension or height h in the vertical direction perpendicular to thefloors 2. The dimension h is equal to the distance d between the likefaces (for example the top faces 5) of two floors 2 that are adjacenteach other in the vertical direction. The distance d is the height of astory of the building.

Each first frontage element 8 is fixed to two adjacent floors 2 atdifferent levels. It is fixed to each floor by two brackets 30 that alsofix the next frontage element 8 in the row to the same floor 2.

Each bracket 30 has first and second plates 32, 34 fixed to each otherat a right angle. The first plate 32 has four orifices 44 through it forfixing each of two first frontage elements 8 to the bracket by means oftwo screws or rivets passing through two of the orifices 44. The firstplate 32 is vertical and parallel to the rear face 17 of the core and isfixed to each of the two first frontage elements 8 by means of twoscrews or rivets with axes 90, for example. One of the rods passescompletely through the thickness of the core 16 and is connected to oneof the vertical rigid reinforcements 22 on either side of the core andthe other rod passes through the reinforcement 22 and the core 16. Thesecond plate 34 is horizontal and is embedded in the floor 2. The secondplate 34 has three screw-threaded circular housings 38 passing throughthe thickness of the plate and disposed in a triangle. The bracketincludes three grubscrews 40 engaged in the respective housings 38 toproject from a face of the second plate 34 opposite the first plate 32.

The bracket 30 is installed in the following manner. A horizontalconcrete slab 36 is constructed to form the fabric of the floor 2. Arebate in the slab adjacent the edge 4 of the floor has a generallyhorizontal plane face 37. The bracket is placed with the first plate 32directed vertically upwards near the edge 4 of the floor and with theends of the three grubscrews 40 in contact with the plane face 37 of therebate. The grubscrews 40 are then turned to adjust the angular positionof the bracket 30 relative to the face 37 of the rebate in two mutuallyperpendicular horizontal directions, for example directions X and Y inFIG. 3. The second plate 34 has two orifices 42, an elongate orificenear the first plate 32 and a circular orifice far away from the firstplate. Two attachment screws 39 are engaged in the respective orifices42. When the bracket is in the required angular position, the fixingscrews 39 are screwed into the slab 36 to fix the bracket rigidly to theslab. A filler material such as mortar 41 is then poured into the rebateto fill the rebate completely and cover the horizontal second plate 34without covering the vertical first plate 32. When it has hardened thismaterial immobilizes the bracket. After tightening the fastening screws39, one or more shims 43 can be placed between the horizontal secondplate 34 and the top face 37 of the rebate. The dimensions of thebrackets 30 are very much less than the dimensions of the first andsecond frontage elements 8, 10 in the horizontal and verticaldirections, and in particular less than the greatest dimension of theseelements.

The two frontage elements 10 and the components 26 have the samehorizontal dimension or length and are disposed in a plurality of spacedvertical rows alternating with the rows of first frontage elements 8.The second frontage elements 10 and the components 26 alternate in eachrow and their vertical lateral faces are aligned with each other. Thesecond frontage elements 10 have a vertical dimension or height f andthe components 26 have a vertical dimension or height g. The sum of theheight f and the height g is equal to the height h of the first frontageelements 8.

Each second frontage element 10 is opposite two first frontage elements8 of each adjacent row. Each second frontage element 10 is fixed only tothese four first frontage elements 8. Each component 26 is fixed only toa first frontage element 8 of each adjacent row.

The second frontage elements 10 are fixed by second fixing members suchas horizontal elongate plane metal lugs 46 fixed to the verticalreinforcements 22 of the first frontage elements 8. The lug 46 has sixorifices 48 through it. Two of the orifices 48 receive fastenings suchas screws or rivets with axes 95 passing through a verticalreinforcement 22 and the core 16 of the associated first frontageelement 8. A third orifice 48 receives a fastener with axis 96 passingthrough a vertical reinforcement 22 and the core 16 of the secondfrontage element 10. Two other orifices 48 receive two fasteners withaxes 97 passing through one of the horizontal reinforcements 24 of thesecond frontage element 10.

The panels 25 of the first frontage elements 8 have a profile invertical cross-section such that the panel has a top area 25 a near thecore 16 and a bottom area 25 b far away from the core and covering theoutside of the top area 25 a of the adjacent first frontage element 8 inthe row. This produces an overlapping tile-like arrangement whichconceals the junctions between the horizontal faces of the firstfrontage elements 8.

The frontage is therefore constructed by means of a system comprisingfirst elements 8 having a cellular core 16 and adapted to be fixed to abuilding, second elements 10 and means 30 for fixing the second elements10 to the first elements 8 with the first and second elements 8, 10 inthe same plane.

Construction involves fixing the first elements 8 to the building,disposing the first elements 8 and the second elements 10 in a commonvertical plane, and fixing the second elements 10 to the first elements8.

The frontage obtained in this way is light in weight.

Of course, many modifications can be made to the invention withoutdeparting from its scope.

The wall 66 of the panels 25 can have varied shapes, raised patterns andcolors to suit the requirements of the frontage designer. The panel 25is advantageously a thermoformed component.

What is claimed is:
 1. A building frontage including first frontageelements fixed to the building and each comprising a cellular core madeof synthetic material, and second frontage elements, the first andsecond frontage elements being arranged in substantially a same plane,the second frontage elements being fixed only to the first frontageelements.
 2. A building frontage according to claim 1, wherein eachsecond frontage element is fixed to four first frontage elements.
 3. Abuilding frontage according to claim 1, wherein the first frontageelements are disposed in parallel rows and the second frontage elementsare disposed in rows parallel to the rows of first frontage elements. 4.A building frontage according to claim 1, wherein the first frontageelements are fixed to floors of the building.
 5. A building frontageaccording to claim 4, wherein each first frontage element is fixed to atleast two floors at different levels.
 6. A building frontage accordingto claim 4, wherein each first frontage element has a dimension in adirection perpendicular to the floors equal to n times a distancebetween like faces of two floors adjacent each other in said direction,n being an integer greater than or equal to one.
 7. A building frontageaccording to claim 1, wherein the frontage includes first fixing membersfor fixing the first frontage elements to the building, the first fixingmembers having dimensions less than a greatest dimension of the firstfrontage elements.
 8. A building frontage according to claim 7, whereineach first fixing member includes adjuster means for adjusting anangular position of the first fixing member relative to a face of thebuilding in at least one direction.
 9. A building frontage according toclaim 8, wherein the adjuster means are adapted to enable adjustment ofthe angular position of the first fixing members relative to the face ofthe building in two mutually perpendicular directions.
 10. A buildingfrontage according to claim 9, wherein the adjuster means include atleast one screw housing in the first fixing members and at least onescrew engaged therein.
 11. A building frontage according to claim 10,wherein two screws are engaged in second and third screw housings of thefirst fixing members.
 12. A building frontage according to claim 8,wherein the first fixing members further include attachment parts forrigidly fixing the first fixing members to the building.
 13. A buildingfrontage according to claim 7, wherein each first frontage elementincludes at least one rigid part fixed to the cellular core and thefirst fixing members are fixed to the rigid parts.
 14. A buildingfrontage according to claim 13, wherein the frontage includes secondfixing members for fixing the second frontage elements to the firstfrontage elements and the second fixing members are fixed to the rigidparts.
 15. A building frontage according to claim 1, further comprisingcomponents fixed to at least some of the first and second frontageelements and lying in the plane of the first and second frontageelements.
 16. A system for constructing a building frontage includingfirst elements comprising a cellular core made of synthetic material andadapted to be fixed to a building and second elements, means for fixingthe second elements to the first elements with the first and secondelements in a same plane, the second elements being fixed only to thefirst elements.
 17. A method of constructing a building frontage usingfirst elements including a cellular core made of synthetic material, andsecond elements, the method comprising fixing the first elements on thebuilding, disposing the first and second elements in a same plane, andfixing the second elements only to the first elements.